Cancerwise

Platinum-based chemotherapy drugs — including cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin — are well-known for causing nerve damage in the hands and feet. This can lead to a side effect called peripheral neuropathy. Patients who experience it often report abnormal sensations of tingling, burning or numbness.

But patients who receive the drug oxaliplatin may also experience something extra: an extreme sensitivity to cold.

Known as cold dysesthesia, this form of neuropathy is unique to oxaliplatin. It can make drinking ice-cold beverages extremely unpleasant and exposure to chilly temperatures very uncomfortable — whether they’re due to air conditioning or just the weather. For some patients, the sensation can be so strong that it’s actually painful.

So, how soon does this cold sensitivity start after receiving oxaliplatin? How long can you expect it to last? And, is there anything you can do to manage it? Read on to find out. 

When does the cold sensitivity from oxaliplatin start?

The sensitivity to cold can come on very quickly after a chemotherapy infusion. Still, some patients don’t notice it for several days. It can even surprise them, especially when it comes to cold food and drinks. That’s why I warn patients before they start any oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimen.  

How long does the cold sensitivity last?

That depends on the length of your treatment. The first couple of times you receive oxaliplatin, you might only have cold sensitivity for a day or two. But the longer you’re on it, the longer your symptoms can last. A few months into chemotherapy, your cold sensitivity may linger for several days, or even weeks, after an infusion. 

The good news is that cold sensitivity usually goes away once you’ve finished chemotherapy. And, it’s not dangerous, just unusual. The abnormal cold sensation of dysesthesia can be mild or bothersome. But in and of itself, it’s just a side effect; it doesn’t mean something bad is happening.